Playpiece and base member selectively interengageable to actuate effect means

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for an exciting and surprising children&#39;&#39;s game comprising a playpiece and one or more shiftable bases on which the playpiece is positionable in a plurality of different relative orientations. In a particular embodiment, the playpiece and base may have mating pins and receptacles, some of which are operative electrical switch elements and some of which are dummy switch elements that simulate the appearance of the operative elements. Operative switch elements on the base and playpiece engage each other for at least one of the relative orientations to complete a circuit and produce a signal or effect. In one form, the playpiece is a translucent ghost figure containing a light bulb which is lit when the circuit is completed, to thereby illuminate the figure. Operative switch elements engage only dummy switch elements for at least another of the relative orientations, and thus do not complete the circuit. The provision of dummy switch elements and the shiftability of the base precludes anticipation by the players of the operative orientations. The game may be played in semi-darkness to enhance suspense and provide added surprise and excitement when the figure becomes illuminated. In play of the game, the player whose turn it is, attempts to place the playpiece upon the base (which another player has randomly shifted) in a relative orientation designed to acheive a game objective of illuminating or not illuminating the figure.

United States Patent [191 Goldfarb et al.

[ 51 Feb. 18,1975

[54] PLAYPIECE AND BASE MEMBER s L c iv LY INTERE T0 ACTUATE EFFECT MEANS [76] Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, 4614 Monarca Dr., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; Erwin Benkoe, 17965 Medley Dr., Encino, Calif. 91316 [22] Filed: Feb. 19, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 443,772

[52] US. Cl. n 273/138 A, 273/156 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 9/00 [58] Field of Search 273/156, 157 R, 130 AB,

273/131 A, 134A, 136 A, 137 A, 138 R, 138 A; 35/9B,9C,9D,9R,22A

Primary ExaminerAnton O. ()echsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ashen [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for an exciting and surprising childrens game comprising a playpiece and one or more shiftable bases on which the playpiece is positionable in a plurality of different relative orientations. In a particular embodiment, the playpiece and base may have mating pins and receptacles, some of which are operative electrical switch elements and some of which are dummy switch elements that simulate the appearance of the operative elements. Operative switch elements on the base and playpiece engage each other for at least one of the relative orientations to complete a circuit and produce a signal or effect. In one form, the playpiece is a translucent ghost figure containing a light bulb which is lit when the circuit is completed, to thereby illuminate the figure. Operative switch elements engage only dummy switch elements for at least another of the relative orientations, and thus do not complete the circuit. The provision of dummy switch elements and the shiftability of the base precludes anticipation by the players of the operative orientations. The game may be played in semi-darkness to enhance suspense and provide added surprise and excitement when the figure becomes illuminated. ln play of the game, the player whose turn it is, attempts to place the playpiece upon the base (which another player has randomly shifted) in a relative orientation designed to acheive a game objective of illuminating or not illuminating the figure.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SHEET 10F 2 FIG. 6

,ulr I FIG. 9A

FIG. 9B

1 PLAYPIECE AND BASE MEMBER'SELECTIVELY INTERENGAGEAQLE To ACTUATE EFFECT MEANS 1. Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for playing competitive childrens games involving proper placement of a playpiece to achieve desired game objects.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

Games involving use of playpieces for achieving desired game objects have'long been very popular. Such games range from chess and checkers to modern technological systems involving figures actuated by electromagnetic control. Especially fascinating to children are games which provide action, for example, in quick and surprising or spectacular indications of success or failure, as by flashing lights or the like. Many such games are in existence; however, such existing games often have drawbacks, particularly with respect to the needs of smaller children. Some games tend to be complex in their demands upon the attention of children or including apparatus which is relatively complex or fragile and thus unable to withstand the rought handling which children accord toys. Moreover, many such games provide relatively unimpressive or innocuous indications of success or failure in the game. Therefore, there has been a continuing need for a game for children providing action and striking indicators of success or failure in the game, and utilizing simple and durable equipment suitable for smaller children.

Apparatus for an exciting and surprising childrens game comprises a playpiece and one or more moveable base members on which the playpiece is positionable in at least two different orientations, at least one operative orientation and at least one inoperative orientation. When they are in an operative orientation, actuating means on the base member and on the playpiece interact to actuate effect means, which may comprise an electric bulb. Dummy means are provided on the base member and/or the playpiece. When the base member and playpiece are in an inoperative orientation, the dummy means engage with one another or the operative elements, resulting in non-acutation of the effect means. The dummy means simulate the appearance of the actuating means so that they are not readily distinguishable therefrom to prevent anticipation of the operative orientations by players. In play, a player arranges a base member in a desired position and the player whose turn it is places the playpiece upon the base member. Success in the game may be related to operation or non-operation of the effect means.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a playpiece of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the playpiece of FIG. 1 and of a base of the apparatus on which the playpiece is disposed;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an element of the playpiece;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the element of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the element of FIG. 3 along the line 44;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the base;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the base of FIG. 5 taken along the line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of operating means of the apparatus;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are perspective views of elements of the means of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are sectional views showing operation of the apparatus.

In general, the illustrated apparatus of the invention comprises a translucent playpiece 2 and a base 30 on which the playpiece may be positioned in a plurality of different orientations. The base is a separate piece which may be moved or shifted to a variety of different positions or orientations. There are operative or actuating means or elements in the form of pins 20 on the playpiece and in the form of receptacles 36 on the base, and there are also dummy or simulated pins 22 and receptacles 34 on the playpiece and the base, respectively. For certain relative positions of the playpiece with regard to the base, the operative pin means 20 on the playpiece engages an operative receptacle means 36 on the base which completes an electrical circuit to light a bulb 42, contained, with a battery 48, within the bulb to light or not to light.

Now, to consider the illustrated apparatus in further detail.

FIG. 1 shows the playpiece 2 which includes a connector member 4 and a gripping member 6. The gripping member 6 is configured to be grasped by a player for placing the playpiece upon the base 30. The illustrated gripping member 6 is in the form of a fanciful ghost figure, designed to enhance the excitement and imaginative aspect of the game. Further, the playpiece 2, as well as the one or more bases 30 used in the play of the game may be made of a phosphorescent plastic or other material which will retain light and glow in the darkness. This provides excitement and also permits the players to see where the playpiece and base are located when the game is played in darkness. The member 6 may be of other suitable configurations as well and may be composed of any suitable material such as molded plastic. The member 6 is hollow for receipt of a marker assembly or means 40 as will be described be low. Member 6 is made of a somewhat resilient and translucent material for purposes also to be described below. l

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A and 3B, a connector member 4 includes four side walls 7 bounding a slightly depressed upper wall 8. (It should be noted that terms such as upper or lower are used herein for purposes of clarity only, referring generally to orientation shown in the drawings; the invention may, however, operate in other attitudes). The figure member 6 is detachably mounted atop the connector member 4. In this connection,,top wall 8 defines a pair of opposed slots 10 located adjacent to and centrally of a pair of opposed side walls 7. An attachment bar 12 is secured across each of the slots 10. Figure member 6 has a pair of depending, resilient, bifurcated ears 14 which releasably attach tothe attachment bars 12 to detachably hold the figure member 6 onto the connector member 4. Thus, by manual manipulation of the figure member,

the ears 14 may be disengaged to permit the figure member to be removed to provide access to the marker assembly 40 for changing of the battery 48 or the bulb 42.

Upper wall 8 also defines a pair of openings 16 and a pair of upright ribs 18 disposed centrally of the wall 8 for attachment of the marking assembly 40 as will be explained.

It will be noted that the side walls 7 extend downwardly from the top wall 8 to define a generally square recess which fits upon a mating upper portion 32 of the base 30 as will be described. The pin means or elements are provided within the recess 5, extending downwardly from the under side of the top wall 8. In the illustrated embodiment there is one operative pin means 20 and there are three inoperative pin means 22. The operative pin means 20 is comprised of an upper portion in the form of a cylindrical sleeve 23 which depends from the underside of the top wall 8. This pin means 20 further comprises a vertically movable pin 24 which extends through the sleeve 23 and hasan enlarged head disposed above the wall 8 to keep the pin from falling downwardly through the sleeve. The inoperative pin means 22 each simulate the appearance of the operative pin means 20. More particularly, the inoperative pin means 22 each comprise an upper portion 26 which has the same external size and shape as the sleeve 23, and a lower cylindrical portion 25 of smaller diameter, essentially that of the pin 24. Thus, at a casual glance, or where visibility is limited such as in a semi-dark room, the operative pin means 20 and Y the inoperative pin means 22 are not readily distinguishable from one another. It will also be noted that while the pin 24 extends further downwardly than does the lower matching portion 25 of the inoperative pin means (for a purpose to be described below), distinguishing between the operative and inoperative pin means remains difficult. It may also be noted at this time, that even though the operative pin means may be distinguished from the inoperative pin means, this will not necessary indicate to the player the desired orientation to select because of a similar difficulty in distinguishing between operative and non-operative receptacle means on the base 30.

The illustrated pin means 20, 22 are arranged symmetrically relative to the playpiece, being disposed at the corners of an imaginary square centered on the underside of the top wall 8 of the connector member 4. As will become. more apparent fromthe following description, the precise number and placement of pin means and of operative or inoperative pin means may be varied considerably, all within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As noted above, the marker means or assembly is disposed within the hollow figure member 6. The assembly 40 is mounted on the connector member 4, with the figure member 6 fitting over the assembly 40 and being releasably attached on the connector member 4 as described above. More particularly, as shown best in FIGS. 2, 7, 8A, and 8B, the marker assembly 40 of the illustrated device comprises a battery holder 52 mounted on the connector member 4, a battery 48 disposed in the holder, a conductor member 50 which is mounted on the battery holder and which supports the lightbulb 42, as well as providing the switch means for completing the circuit to light the bulb. The disposition of the marker means 40 within the depicted figure member 6 provides a number of desirable features, including the lighting effect provided by lighting a bulb within the translucent figure member. It may be possible to provide the marker means outside of the figure in other forms of the apparatus. It may also be desirable to use other forms of marker means, both visual and/or auditory.

The illustrated marker means 40 further comprises the bulb 42 releasably held in a bulb mounting socket 44 having a contact at its lower end for electrical contact with the upper end of the battery 48. The bulb socket 44 is mounted within a bulb holder portion 49 of the member 50. As shown best in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the member 50 has an upright center portion 51. The bulb holder portion 49 is secured to the upper end of the center portion 50 and extends inwardly therefrom. At the lower end of the center portion 51 is an inwardly extending leaf spring portion 53. The member 50 may be conveniently fabricated from an integral piece of deformed spring steel or the like. An upstanding switch tab 66 is provided intermediate the ends of the spring portion 53 for engagement with the lower end of the battery to complete an electrical circuit. The circuit is comprised by the battery, the bulb and bulb holder, and the metallic member 50. When the switch tab 66 engages the battery 48, the circuit is completed to light the bulb 42. The center portion 51 of the member 50 has a pair of locking notches 56 which receive a pair of projections 54 on the battery holder 52 for mounting the member 50 on the holder 52, as shown best in FIG. 7.

As shown best in FIG. 8B, the battery holder 52 is generally a rectangular structure of semi-resilient plastic or other suitable material having three side walls 58 which define the area for receiving and holding the battery 48. The battery holder 52 itself is locked to the base member 4 by means of a pair of depending resilient tabs 60 which extend through openings 16 and then expand outwardly to lock the holder in place, with outwardly extending shoulders 61 at either side of the battery holder supported upon the ribs 18 on the connector member. The battery 48 may be supported upon an inwardly directed ledge 63 on the inside of the side wall 58 of the battery holder. The battery is thereby supported in the dotted line position shown FIG. 7 and the switch tab 66 is spaced from the lower end of the battery. The outer end of the spring portion 53 is disposed over the head of the pin 24 so that when the pin is elevated (as will be described below) the switch tab 66 will engage the battery to complete the circuit. The spring portion 53 also serves to maintain the pin 24 within the sleeve 23.

The base 30 is shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6. The illustrated base is a separate part, positionable in whatever orientation the player may decide to place it. It may be of any suitable material such as molded plastic. Base 30 comprises a square-shaped upper or connector portion 32 and a larger lowerportion 33. The base may be formed in whatever shape or design is desired so long as its configuration is compatible with that of the mating connector member 4 of the playpiece 2. Upper portion 32 has a top wall 35 in which a plurality of receptacle means are formed. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four receptacle means, two shallow operative receptacle means or elements 36 and two deep inoperative receptacle means or elements 34. The illustrated receptacle means 34, 36 are arranged to match or mate with the four pins means or elements 22, on the playpiece. Because of the symmetrical arrangement, the pin means may be inserted into receptacle means in four different orientations of the playpiece relative to the base. A greater or smaller number of cooperating or mating means may be provided: the greater number of mating means, the greater the selection of different relative orientations between the playpiece and the base; the fewer the number of mating means, the simpler the device. The symmetrical orientation of the mating means provides the maximum number of relative positions possible for a given number of such mating means, however, non-symmetrical arrangements of the mating means may also be utilized.

The illustrated receptacle means 34, 36 are proportioned, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 98, to receive therein the end of the pin 24 and the dummy pin portions 25, but not the sleeve portion 23 or the larger upper portions 26 of the dummy pin means. Because of differences in depth however, when the pin 24 is inserted into a deep, non-operative receptacle means 34, it does not engage the bottom thereof as shown in FIG. 9A. On the other hand, when the pin 24 is inserted in a shallow operative receptacle means 36, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pin does engage the bottom of the receptacle means to move the spring arm 53 upwardly and complete the circuit. Thus, when the playpiece is oriented relative to the base so that the pin enters a shallow, nonoperative recess means, the light bulb 42 will be lit; when the orientation places the pin in a deep, non-operative receptacle means the light bulb will not be lit.

Now the play of the game may be readily understood. Each player may have his own base 30 or there may be one common base shared by the players. Similarly, there may be a single playpiece 2 or there may be a plurality of playpieces. As noted above, the game may be played in the semi-darkness and the playpiece and base may be made of material which will absorb light and then glow in the darkness. One player may be permitted to place the base down on a table or other surface in any orientation he desires and another player may then place the playpiece on the base in any orientation relative to the base that that player desires. If operative means on the play piece match-up to operative means on the base, the circuit will be completed, and the light will be lit to illuminate the playpiece. If an operative means does not mate with another operative means, the circuit will not be completed and the playpiece will remain dark. This illustrated form of device is particularly designed for play in a semi-dark room where it is more difficult to discern any differences between operative and inoperative means, and where the lighting of the playpiece results in greater surprise and excitement.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the illustrated structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some such modifications or changes have been referred to above. The following possible variations are offered by way of illustration of certain broader aspects of the invention and not by way of limitation to the invention which is set forth in the appended claims. The playpiece in the base may take a variety of other suitable shapes and forms and configurations, and may be constructed of a variety of materials. As further examples, the pin and receptacle means could be reversed, the marking or signal means could be placed in the base and they could take the form of a bell or buzzer, or possibly a mechanical mechanism in lieu of the light of the illustrated embodiment. While the light within a translucent member provides a desirable and effective illusion, less than all of the playpiece could be translucent (or transparent) or one or more viewing openings of apertures could be provided. Similarly, the bulb could be mounted at the surface of the playpiece. As a further alternative, in a broad aspect of the invention, the light or other effect means could be at a remote location, and connected to the base or playpiece by electrical lead wires. It would also be possible to substitute other mating or cooperating means on the playpiece and the base: in this regard for example, magnetically interacting means could be utilized. Further by way of example, in its broader aspects the mating or cooperative positioning of the interacting means could be accomplished by putting such means into contact or into certain proximity to one another, short of the mechanical interlock provided by the pin and receptacle means of the illustrated embodiment.

We claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising:

a. a base member selectively movable between a plurality of different orientations;

b. a playpiece member positionable on the base member in at least two different positions relative thereto;

0. effect means for being actuated incident to the relative positioning of the playpiece member on the base member to produce an effect related to play of the game;

d. first actuating means on said base member and second actuating means on said playpiece member for interacting, said first and second actuating means being positioned in interacting relationship to one another whereby they will actuate the effect means when the playpiece member is in at least one of said relative positions, said first and second actuating means being positioned in non-interacting relationship to one another whereby they will not actuate the effect means when the playpiece member is in at least a different one of said relative positions; and

e. nonactuating means on at least one of said members simulating in appearance the actuating means on said at least one member, said nonactuating means being configured and arranged not to cause the effect means to be actuated when said nonactuating means is positioned in said interacting relationship with the actuating means on the other member.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said members is made of a phosphorescent material for absorbing light and glowing in the darkness.

3. The invention as forth in claim 1 wherein said playpiece member comprises a translucent housing and wherein said effect means comprise light means mounted within said housing.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 further including electrical circuit means coupling said first actuating means to said effect means, said circuit means being closable to operate said effect means, said first actuating means, including a movable element that is movable to cause said circuit means to be closed, said movable element being so moved when the first actuating means is in an interacting relationship to said second actuating means.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first actuating means comprises male actuating connector means and said second actuating means comprises female actuating connector means, said means simulating the appearance of said female actuating connector means comprising receptacle means of different dimensions from said female actuating connector means so that when the playpiece is positioned upon the base member, the one of said male actuating connector means which is received in said simulating receptacle will not be moved to cause the effect means to be actuated.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said female actuating connector means has means for blocking motion of one of said male actuating connector means received therein so as to cause said male actuating connector means to move to cause the effect means to be actuated.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said playpiece member is openable to afford access to said circuit means and effect means.

8. A game apparatus comprising:

at least one base member;

at least one playpiece member detachably mountable on the base member in a plurality of different positions, including at least one actuating position and at least one non-actuating position;

marker means on the playpiece member, for being actuated incident to said playpiece members being mounted in an actuating position;

actuating means on said base member and on said playpiece member; said actuating means comprising a plurality of projection means on one of said members and a plurality of mating receptacle means on the other of said members for receiving the projection means, said receptacle means and projection means being arranged so that the projection means will be received in the receptacle means for each of said different positions of the playpiece member on the base member, at least one of said projection means comprising actuating projection means and being movable with respect to the marker means and at least one of said receptacle means comprising actuating receptacle means and having means for moving a projection means received therein with respect to said marker means, said actuating means also including means operable between said marker means and said movable projection means for actuating said marker means incident to movement of said movable projection means,

whereby the players attempt to position the playpiece member on the base member to either actuate or not actuate the marker means.

9 The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said projection means include at least one non-actuating projection means, said non-actuating projection means having an appearance simulating that of said actuating projection means.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said receptacle means include at least one non-actuating receptacle means, the non-actuating receptacle means not containing means for moving a projection means received therein with respect to the marker means and having an appearance simulating that of said actuating receptacle means.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said non-actuating receptacle means are configured to receive said actuating projection means therein without moving said actuating projection means relative to the marker means to actuate said marker means.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said playpiece member has a lower end configured to be mountable upon said base member by fitting thereover and being displaced relatively thereto in mounting motion, and further including means defining a path for said mounting motion and defining means on said base to terminate said mounting motion at the end of said mounting motion path, wherein said actuating projection means are flexible, and wherein said actuating re ceptacle means have a dimension shorter than said mounting path to displace said actuating projection means to move with respect to said marker means to actuate said latter means. 

1. Game apparatus comprising: a. a base member selectively movable between a plurality of different orientations; b. a playpiece member positionable on the base member in at least two different positions relative thereto; c. effect means for being actuated incident to the relative positioning of the playpiece member on the base member to produce an effect related to play of the game; d. first actuating means on said base member and second actuating means on said playpiece member for interacting, said first and second actuating means being positioned in interacting relationship to one another whereby they will actuate the effect means when the playpiece member is in at least one of said relative positions, said first and second actuating means being positioned in non-interacting relationship to one another whereby they will not actuate the effect means when the playpiece member is in at least a different one of said relative positions; and e. nonactuating means on at least one of said members simulating in appearance the actuating means on said at least one member, said nonactuating means being configured and arranged not to cause the effect means to be actuated when said nonactuating means is positioned in said interacting relationship with the actuating means on the other member.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said members is made of a phosphorescent material for absorbing light and glowing in the darkness.
 3. The invention as forth in claim 1 wherein said playpiece member comprises a translucent housing and wherein said effect means comprise light means mounted within said housing.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 further including electrical circuit means coupling said first actuating means to said effect means, said circuit means being closable to operate said effect means, said first actuating means including a movable element that is movable to cause said circuit means to be closed, said movable element being so moved when the first actuating means is in an interacting relationship to said second actuating means.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first actuating means comprises male actuating connector means and said second actuating means comprises female actuating connector means, said means simulating the appearance of said female actuating connector means comprising receptacle means of different dimensions from said female actuating connector means so that when the playpiece is positioned upon the base member, the one of said male actuating connector means which is received in said simulating receptacle will not be moved to cause the effect means to be actuated.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said female actuating connector means has means for blocking motion of one of said male actuating connector means received therein so as to cause said male actuating connector means to move to cause the effect means to be actuated.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said playpiece member is openable to afford access to said circuit means and effect means.
 8. A game apparatus comprising: at least one base member; at least one playpiece member detachably mountable on the base member in a plurality of different positions, including at least one actuating position and at least one non-actuating position; marker means on the playpiece member, for being actuated incident to said playpiece member''s being mounted in an actuatiNg position; actuating means on said base member and on said playpiece member; said actuating means comprising a plurality of projection means on one of said members and a plurality of mating receptacle means on the other of said members for receiving the projection means, said receptacle means and projection means being arranged so that the projection means will be received in the receptacle means for each of said different positions of the playpiece member on the base member, at least one of said projection means comprising actuating projection means and being movable with respect to the marker means and at least one of said receptacle means comprising actuating receptacle means and having means for moving a projection means received therein with respect to said marker means, said actuating means also including means operable between said marker means and said movable projection means for actuating said marker means incident to movement of said movable projection means, whereby the players attempt to position the playpiece member on the base member to either actuate or not actuate the marker means.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said projection means include at least one non-actuating projection means, said non-actuating projection means having an appearance simulating that of said actuating projection means.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said receptacle means include at least one non-actuating receptacle means, the non-actuating receptacle means not containing means for moving a projection means received therein with respect to the marker means and having an appearance simulating that of said actuating receptacle means.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said non-actuating receptacle means are configured to receive said actuating projection means therein without moving said actuating projection means relative to the marker means to actuate said marker means.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said playpiece member has a lower end configured to be mountable upon said base member by fitting thereover and being displaced relatively thereto in mounting motion, and further including means defining a path for said mounting motion and defining means on said base to terminate said mounting motion at the end of said mounting motion path, wherein said actuating projection means are flexible, and wherein said actuating receptacle means have a dimension shorter than said mounting path to displace said actuating projection means to move with respect to said marker means to actuate said latter means. 